N1 elite | Stoppage for Saintes in Annecy
Two late games were played last weekend: Vernouillet-Poitiers and Annecy-Saintes. After a return to impressive grounds, the US Saintes lost in the last moments in Haute-Savoie. Feedback from coach Yannick Verdier on the start of 2022.
New weekend without a match for the National 1 elite, before the resumption next week. However, Vernouillet, Poitiers, Annecy & Saintes played their matches late last week. Interesting meetings for these different teams in view of the second half of the season.
Y. Verdier: “Our best phase since the start of the season“
On an excellent produced since the return of the truce, theUS Saintes did not lose his optimism despite the defeat at Annecy. “We were on 3 consecutive victories, we had never succeeded so faremphasizes the Saintais coach Yannick Verdier. We are certainly in our best phase since the start of the season.“Because indeed, beyond the victories, it is the names of the adversaries that impresses: after Poitiers at the end of December, it is Frontignan then Mulhouse that the Orange have added to their hunting list. The last two cities are racing for qualifying tickets to the Proligue.
Prestigious collective successes, and a goalkeeper on fire
At the beginning of February, for the reception of Frontignanthe Charantais-maritimes however advanced without certainty, and deprived of their master to play Axel Rosier. “When we started the match we were not very calmacknowledges the coach. But when we saw that with a lot of mistakes we were only at -5 at the break, we thought that by erasing our imperfections we could get there. And that’s what we managed to do.“With heightened defensive aggressiveness, the locals were then able to observe the impotence of the dolphins in the championship, and achieve a prestigious success. Rebelotte at home two weeks later, where US Saintes simply stifled the Alsatians from Mulhouse.
Two successes which give a lot of air to Verdier’s men in the standings, and serenity as to their defensive efficiency. And since it is a question of defence, it is difficult not to mention the spectacular performances of the Italian goalkeeper Maximilien Soliani. “Faced with Mulhouse he downright disgusted themcoach son jubilee. The defense obviously made it easy for him at times but even when we made mistakes he was able to get all the balloons.“13 saves against Poitiers, 9 against Frontignan then a peak at 18 against Mulhouse-Rixheim, the goalkeeper is undoubtedly one of the great architects of his team’s success. He will once again be present on the side of Annecy with 11 parades, which however will not have been enough to ensure the victory of his people.
Annecy duelists too strong for Saintes
Because the Haut-Savoyards are also making a solid comeback, and are replacing themselves at the top of the table. In a tied duel, where the two teams went blow for blow for 60 minutes, the Annecy duelists ended up getting the better of their opponents. “It’s a team that plays a lot of duels, and Martin Gaillard and Tom Vinatier (8 mas) are excellent duelistsanalyzes Yannick Verdier. We were not able to control them and, when we encountered more and more defensive aggression with such players in front, we know that we will take sanctions.“And for good reason, the Saintais will receive 8 exclusions against 0 for the CSAV, including the 3rd exclusion ofAdama Ouedraogo in the last moments.
Despite strong resistance from the visitors (19-21, 42′), Raphaël Planchet’s men managed to regain control of the game in money time and won comfortably (32-28). A success that propels Annecy onto the podium, one step behind Frontignan, before hosting Pau Nousty next week.
For Saintes, it’s a complicated trip that is coming up on the side of Cournon d’Auvergne. “It’s a club that has ambition and shows it, especially with its recruits (Yassine Idrissi in particular). They had beaten us at home in the first leg, and now they are just ahead of us in the standingsrecalls the New Aquitaine tactician. It will now be up to us to seek this victory to validate our second part of the season, which is starting quite well.“
Dreux-Vernouillet still does not succeed
After signs of hope glimpsed since the truce, Dreux-Vernouillet expected a lot from the reception of Poitiers last weekend. But two weeks after their great success against Pau, the Griffons did not give the locals a chance. Ibrahima Sall confirmed his excellent recovery by planting 3 goals in the first 2 minutes. The visitors’ captain is invaluable in a very attacking first act, where Lyvio Asabina (10/12) also enjoys the other side of the rear chainstay. The respondent led by Brdar Slave (5 goals in the first half) is not enough to maintain a balance at the break (12-19, 30′).
Poitiers ends its offensive festival
The second act is without suspense, the locals support the arrows fired by Ludovic Guignier (5 goals in the second half, 7/9 in total) and see their delay swell up to 11 goals. The victory is clear and flawless (27-36), and Poitiers still widens the gap with his pursuer in the bottom of the classification. Christian Latulippe’s men thus remember 1 point from 10th, Gonfreville, and remain only 3 small points from Elite Val d’Oise, 7th.
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Antoine Piollat